Ismail Haniyeh, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian government in Gaza, has met with Bob Buster, the assistant of the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The meeting took place in the prime minister's office in Gaza City on Monday. A source in Haniyeh's office said that the agenda focused on political developments in the region, particularly the Palestinian territories. Discussions included reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The Prime Minister briefed Mr. Buster on the effects of the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since 14 June 2007," said the unnamed source. He added that during the meeting Prime Minister Haniyeh highlighted the importance of international intervention to bring about a permanent end to the siege of Gaza.

Former President Jimmy Carter visited the Gaza Strip last June when he met with Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders who live in the Gaza Strip. As part of his efforts to bring peace to the Holy Land, the ex-President met with the Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Khalid Meshaal, and the movement's leadership in Damascus early last year.